OK, so I didn't really like the black grille on my Overland, and I didn't want to spend hundred's of $$ on a Chrome Overland Summit Grille, or pull off the front bumper cover, etc. so this is what I did:

MATERIALS-

1 can of Duplicolor Chrome
plastic drop cloth
blue painters tape

PROCEDURE-

1. Raise the hood, and loosen the grille fasteners along the top of the engine compartment. Lay a plastic drop sheet over the entire front end of the car. Pull the grille forward enough to get your arm down between the radiator and grille, and push the drop cloth down behind the grille untill it is completely covering the space behind the grille inserts. You may need a 2nd drop cloth to cover the engine compartment when this is done.

2. Cut holes where the grille inserts are, and tape off the chrome part of the grille with blue painters tape. Ensure that ALL of the chrome is covered, leaving ALL of the black insert exposed. A small knife might be helpful for this.

3. Shake the can of Duplicolor Chrome vigorously for 30 seconds before spraying. The slates are diagonal, so there are four angles that must be sprayed evenly. I used this pattern for spraying the paint in this order:

2 o'clock, 8 o'clock, then 10 o'clock, 4 o'clock, Spray evenly from side to side at each angle. Let dry for 30-45 minutes.

4. Spray two more coats directly facing the grille inserts, with two complete passes of the can. Spray each coat one at a time using an even back and forth motion and let dry for at least 30 minutes.

RESULTS-

The Duplicolor Chrome actually comes out more of a Gun Metal finish, but I thought the results were great! :thumbsup:

COST-

Total cost: $12.00.

(The last pic shows the Steeelcraft Bars I also installed, which took me about 6 hours because of all the brackets.)

JTS97Z28

07-08-2012 08:52 AM

Re: Overland Custom Grille- don't try this at home

Looks good from the pics, hopefully it looks as good in person as it does in those pictures. I would also be curious to see how well it holds up. Nice work!

Lucas J

07-08-2012 10:03 AM

Re: Overland Custom Grille- don't try this at home

looks good but I too would be curious to see how well it holds up.

also any plans to paint the lower mesh grille to match?

HemiFan

07-08-2012 12:10 PM

Re: Overland Custom Grille- don't try this at home

Not a chrome fan but looks good.

Aiyer

07-08-2012 12:39 PM

Re: Overland Custom Grille- don't try this at home

Looks good....

BOURBON

07-08-2012 12:56 PM

Re: Overland Custom Grille- don't try this at home

Lookin good. I too hate that they want so much money for that grille. You did a good job there!

Brewster

07-08-2012 05:48 PM

Re: Overland Custom Grille- don't try this at home

That took guts, nice work!

yodamel

07-09-2012 09:19 AM

Re: Overland Custom Grille- don't try this at home

Thank you. I appreciate the feedback guys. I think the paint will hold up OK. Living in Texas, we have mostly hot, dry weather. The grille insert is ABS plastic, and Duplicolor paint has a built-in hardener, so I am hoping for the best.

I am undecided about doing the lower grille. I will probably leave it black.

JRNYC

07-09-2012 09:47 AM

Re: Overland Custom Grille- don't try this at home

:thumbsup:

heck for the money you saved you can paint it a few times if it weras off!

kkreit01

07-09-2012 01:22 PM

Re: Overland Custom Grille- don't try this at home

Looks great, but this is all funny: everyone wants what they don't have. Those with chrome want black. Those with black want chrome. Some want body color, etc. etc.

FAUEE

07-09-2012 08:36 PM

Re: Overland Custom Grille- don't try this at home

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkreit01
(Post 654019)

Looks great, but this is all funny: everyone wants what they don't have. Those with chrome want black. Those with black want chrome. Some want body color, etc. etc.

I noticed this too, but at least most people try to stick with one theme, either all chrome or all paint.

I had considered doing this for the fog bezels, this turned out really good. I dunno if there'd be as good of results on a larger piece like the fog bezels, but that certainly looks really good.

Truth be told, I think it looks better than the OEM part. The OEM part is too shiny, and it looks odd IMO. This looks great.